Chapter Nine
Monty
M onty stepped out of the annex at An Grianan into the fresh evening air. The sun was still casting its golden glow over the horizon, a glorious reminder of the long summer days in Scotland. He got out his phone and took a photo, hoping to catch the colours – no filter needed.
His father’s ashes were gone, but Monty still had that uncertain, neither-here-nor-there feeling. The closure he’d hoped for hadn’t really happened. If anything, he felt even more confused.
He strolled along a vaguely trodden path through the grass and the thick bracken, following the gentle crash of the waves beyond. For someone who didn’t like water, it was surprising how much the sea called to him. Was this how stories about sirens luring sailors into the ocean had started? Something about the sea was magnetic. As he reached the edge of grass where it met the sand, the view opened up before him. The sparkling turquoise sea, dotted with rocky outcrops, glittered in the evening sun.
Monty took out his phone again, half certain no picture or film would do this justice. The way the light danced and twinkled was magical. He adjusted the settings, hoping to capture at least something of it. He wasn’t a big user of social media, but this was something he wanted to share, maybe with a brief reference to his dad. Somewhere in the back of his mind, another thought lingered. Sophie might see it. She loved social media and posted pictures almost every day.
Monty could easily keep up with what she was doing – as could the rest of the world.
He found a raised spot on the edge of the sand and sat down, leaning back on his hands and gazing out to sea. The waves rolled in gently, like a rhythmic lullaby. He let his eyelids fall closed for a moment, soaking in the pure calm. He breathed the sea air, and his body relaxed, tension falling from his chest and shoulders.
When he opened his eyes, he scrolled through the pictures in his phone’s gallery. He should have some of the castle. Maybe he should make another trip there before he left, and actually look at it this time. He’d been so taken up with the ashes that he hadn’t focused on much else. Also, if those wristbands worked, he might even enjoy the trip over, get some nice photos, and not spend the whole time feeling nauseous. Not that he particularly wanted to ask Iona to take him again. He’d already caused her enough grief… though she’d been a lot nicer since she’d learned about his reasons for being here.
He selected a few photos and wrote a brief caption: Scattered Dad’s ashes at Kisimul Castle today. A beautiful place for a final goodbye. Miss him every day.
His finger hovered for a moment before hitting the upload button. Should he share this? Did people really need to know? But it was a way of acknowledging the day’s significance, and he wanted to do that. He had cousins as friends on here, along with people who’d known him for a long time; they’d be interested, and happy to know he’d done the task he set out to do. He hit post , put the phone flat on the grass, then lay on his side, propping his head on his hand.
After a few minutes of listening to the waves, curiosity got the better of him, and he turned on the phone without lifting it off the grass. His fingers led him directly to Sophie’s page. Her profile was as busy as ever, filled with pictures of her looking glamorous. It appeared she’d used today’s sunshine to meet with friends. A cocktail in hand, and a wide, red-lipsticked smile on her face told him she was out living her best life and not missing him at all.
A pang of something he couldn’t quite identify struck him in the chest. Jealousy, perhaps, or a sense of being left behind? Sophie had moved on so easily. Did she ever think about him?
He took a deep breath, looking out to the sea. What were the chances of her actually wanting to get back together? Was it a fool’s hope? Probably, but he could give himself a fighting chance. What if he took up Iona’s offer and learned to paddleboard? Could he bear to get in the sea? His insides squirmed at the thought, but another sensation sparked at the thought of Sophie’s reaction if, in a few days’ time, he posted pictures of himself boarding out to sea. He huffed out a laugh. Like he’d ever manage that.
Something rustled the grass behind him and a cold, wet nose nudged his hand. He looked up to see a liver-coloured dog sniffing around him, its tail wagging.
‘Hey there,’ Monty murmured, giving the dog a gentle pat. ‘You’re Catriona’s dog, aren’t you?’ The dog’s tail wagged even harder, and it sniffed the ground around Monty’s phone.
‘Scamp!’ a woman’s voice called out. Monty turned, expecting to see Catriona, but it was Iona striding through the bracken. She had a slightly annoyed expression and froze when she saw him. ‘Oh, it’s you. I wondered who he’d snuck up on. I always worry when he finds someone lying on the beach.’
‘Um, yeah.’ Monty frowned.
‘Well, it might be a dead body, or people getting down and dirty in the sand. And personally, I wouldn’t like to discover either.’
‘No, I imagine not.’ Monty pulled himself into a sitting position and scratched the dog behind the ears. ‘He’s friendly.’
‘Friendly, nosey, and with no sense of personal space or boundaries.’ Iona sighed and plopped down on the grass beside Monty. ‘Go and run.’ She gave Scamp a gentle prod and shooed him onto the sand. ‘God, I’m so hacked off.’
Monty raised an eyebrow. ‘With me?’
‘No.’ She gave him a sharp look, then grinned. ‘Unless you’re planning on knocking me over again.’
‘Definitely not.’
‘Sensible.’ She gave him a little nudge, then threw her head back. ‘Someone cancelled a paddleboarding lesson last minute. It’s the third one this week. Means I’ll lose money again.’
‘Sorry to hear that. Is it a common thing?’
‘More common than I’d like.’ She ripped up some grass and tossed it in the air. ‘I get it, people have their reasons, they miss boats or whatever, but it’s frustrating. I rely on those bookings.’
‘Maybe you need a cancellation fee.’ Monty watched as Scamp snuffled around the beach.
‘Yeah, maybe.’ She ran a hand through her long ponytail. ‘Or more reliable clients, though boarders can be… Well… boarders.’
He chuckled. ‘What do you mean?’
A small smile played on her lips. ‘Ah, you know, people who go with the flow.’
He shook his head and laughed too.
She leaned back and turned her head to face him. When she caught his eye, his insides lurched. Such a beautiful smile. Her gaze dropped to the ground and Monty followed her sightline. His phone was still there, open on Sophie’s social media page.
‘Are they friends of yours?’ Iona was focused on the photo of Sophie and her girlfriends.
‘Um, no.’ He gently put his fingertip on Sophie. ‘That’s my ex.’
Iona lifted the phone and held it in front of her. ‘The ex who called you boring and you want to get back together with?’
‘The very same.’
‘Wow. She’s beautiful.’
Monty swallowed. Yes, she was. Always had been. Her slick black hair and bright red lips made her stand out from the crowd. And she wasn’t afraid to dress in revealing clothes and heels. Was he crazy thinking a woman like her would ever want him? Why had she ever done so in the first place? ‘Too beautiful for me.’
Iona handed him his phone back and gave him a stern look. ‘Why should she be? Being beautiful isn’t that important. I hope that’s not why you want to get back together with her. She’s a nice person, right?’
Monty frowned at her photo. ‘Yeah. She’s fun to be with.’ But was she? When it came down to it, had he enjoyed their time together? Wasn’t there always pressure to live up to? He let out a sigh. Maybe that was true, but was it his own fault? Had his failings caused the pressure? If he could just cast off the cloak of dullness.
‘Well, that’s something,’ Iona said. ‘Where’s Scamp?’ She squinted along the beach. ‘Ah, there he is. I better get him back.’
‘How’s your cut?’
‘Oh, that.’ Iona pulled up her t-shirt and Monty held his breath. He had a feeling she’d take the whole thing off and not care whether he was looking. She had that easy-in-her-own-skin way about her. ‘I think it’s fine.’
‘And what about the shoulder?’
‘What is it about you that makes me get injuries? Honestly, I’ve never had so many.’ She smirked, then pulled a face.
‘Talent.’
‘Possibly, but actually I was fibbing. I’m always getting bumps and bruises. Goes with the territory.’
‘And you’re trying to sell your adventures to people?’ He raised his eyebrows, and she chuckled.
‘Yeah. Probably better if I keep fibbing.’ She craned her neck, scanning around. ‘I should go. Otherwise Scamp will leave me behind.’
‘Ok.’
She caught his eye again, and he pushed his glasses further up his nose. He needed to get these adjusted; they were so annoyingly loose.
‘See you around.’ She got to her feet. ‘And if you fancy a paddleboarding lesson, let me know. I’ve got plenty of space now.’
Monty stood up, brushing the sand off his trousers and watching as Iona jogged onto the beach, calling to Scamp. The evening air was cooling, but it was still pleasant, and he was in no rush to get back. In fact, watching Iona running along the beach with Scamp seemed more than enough reason to stay a little longer.
The following day, Monty got up early and jogged the path he’d been the night before. By the time he got back to An Grianan, the burn in his legs was powerful. If Iona decided to take him up Heaval, he wanted to be ready. He slowed to a walk as he reached the gate, raking his fingers through his hair, as he spotted people.
Catriona, Iona, and a tall, muscular man he didn’t recognise were in the yard. The man had a broad grin on his face and longish dark hair that he kept pushing his fingers through. Iona laughed and rolled her eyes at something he said. Was this Ruaridh, Catriona’s ‘fitness mad’ brother? He certainly looked like he’d be good at sports.
Monty wanted to sneak by and make his way into the annex. He needed a shower and wasn’t in the mood for talking, but Catriona turned around and smiled. ‘Hey.’ She waved at him.
‘Morning.’ He wiped the sweat from his brow.
‘Those trainers look fine for hiking up Heaval.’ Iona glanced at his feet. ‘But if you need another pair, this is Ruaridh that I was telling you about.’
‘Nice to meet you.’ Monty extended his hand.
‘Likewise.’ Ruaridh shook Monty’s hand with a firm grip. ‘I’d go up Heaval with you. I love doing it.’
Monty held his breath as he smiled. ‘Great.’ He could see himself being abandoned very quickly if Ruaridh and Iona both came with him.
Iona nudged Ruaridh. ‘We could run up. Do you think you can beat me?’
‘Easy,’ Ruaridh said with a wink.
Iona rolled her eyes, but her smile said she didn’t mind his teasing. They had that easy way about them, like they’d known each other forever.
‘Where were you running today?’ Ruaridh asked.
‘Just along the beach.’
‘I’ll maybe join you tomorrow.’ Ruaridh pushed back his hair again. ‘I can show you some great runs on the island and down on Vatersay too.’
‘Um, yeah.’ While the idea of seeing more places was appealing, trying to keep up with Ruaridh was not.
‘And you’re thinking about paddleboard lessons too?’ Ruaridh grinned at Monty.
‘Well, possibly.’ Monty’s face twitched. If this guy was involved, Monty was going to look very small, very soon. Although their physical heights weren’t far off, Ruaridh was bulkier and oozed confidence.
A smile spread slowly over Iona’s face. ‘Well, remember I have time this week.’
Ruaridh turned to her. ‘I might join too. Think you can handle me?’
‘Depends on what you mean by that.’ Iona raised an eyebrow.
Catriona gave them a sharp look. ‘Enough nonsense. Iona, can you help me move the wardrobe in room one? Someone has got it far too close to the door. God knows why.’
‘Don’t you want He-Man to do that?’ She jabbed her thumb in Ruaridh’s direction.
A pang of something struck Monty in the chest – was it jealousy? Why should it be? He had no claim on Iona. She was just a fleeting acquaintance.
‘He needs to unpack.’ Catriona looked at Ruaridh, and her words sounded more of an instruction than a passing comment.
‘I sure do.’ Ruaridh saluted her.
Catriona and Iona made their way inside. Monty should move too. He wasn’t sure he wanted to be out here with Ruaridh alone in case he suggested several other painful ways they could work out.
‘She’s quite something, huh?’ Ruaridh eyed the two women as they walked in, but it was blatantly obvious which one had his attention.
‘Iona?’ Monty didn’t need to ask, but he didn’t know what else to say.
‘Yup.’ Ruaridh mussed up his hair. ‘She’s quite the lass.’ He winked. ‘Doesn’t give me a look in though. Anyway…’ He clapped his hands together like he hadn’t really meant anyone to hear his musings. ‘I better get on. Give me a shout if you want to do some training, though I’m back to work tomorrow so I might not have time.’
Monty made a face of agreement and disappointment, though his insides were dancing. Thank god for that. He’d dodged a bullet nicely there. But his head hurt a little as he made his way back to the annex. His thoughts jogged around places he didn’t really want them to go. Ruaridh might think Iona wasn’t interested in him, but Monty wasn’t so sure. She’d looked very comfortable in his presence.
‘Why do I even care?’ He closed the door of the annex and pulled off his shirt. After switching on the shower, he took off the rest of his clothes and jumped under the steaming water. As the water hit him, he tried to steer his mind to something pleasant and let the heat refresh him. Why then did Iona keep nudging her way back in? And how could he get her out? Because she didn’t belong there.